Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
LIMB, n., v. Also lim(m). Dim. limbie (Ayr. 1789 Burns To Dr Blacklock v.).
Sc. usages. [lɪm, lɛm]
I. n. 1. Fig. as in Eng.: an agent or member, in phrs. devil's limb, limb o the deil, limb o sorrow (see Sorra), — Satan, etc., for a wicked or mischievous person or animal, an imp of Satan. Gen.Sc. Often reduced to limb alone, id., freq. of a woman (Lnk., Rxb. 1825 Jam.). Also in colloq. Eng.Rxb. 1821 A. Scott Poems 26:
Ye sorra's lims, quo' he, d'ye see What sort o' wark ye've made o't?Ags. 1833 J. S. Sands Poems 86:
Divide my game, ye devil's limbs!Ayr. 1879 J. White Jottings 276:
When wi' fun he runs wud He's a lim' o' the Deil.Kcb. 1890 A. J. Armstrong Ingleside Musings 141:
Hame cam' the limb in tatters.Sc. 1909 J. Colville Studies 137:
A mischievous boy was a loon-lookin' dog, or a “limb o' Sawtan”.
2. The shaft of a fishing-rod.Sh. 1892 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 257:
I gets haud o' da limb o' a piltock waand.Sh. 1899 Shetland News (4 Feb.):
He ran dalim o' his rod i' da aeft stammerin.
II. v. To cut the branches off a tree (wm.Sc., Slk. 1961).
